Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

IKEA instructions - is this sexist?

57 replies

booksrock · 20/02/2016 19:24

Dh and I are building IKEA wardrobes. As a perfectionist dh is doing the building and I am holding/ supporting as required. In the book a man does the building and a comfy dressed sized 12 woman does the holding. Have they been designed for us or are dh and I actually living in an IKEA manual.

OP posts:
ChickyChickyParmParm · 20/02/2016 19:27

I think it would be sexist if ALL the IKEA instructions have this couple in this dynamic.

NameAgeLocation · 20/02/2016 19:28

They only ever used to have men in them so I'd say it's a step forward.

MrsHathaway · 20/02/2016 19:31

It should have a man grumping and a woman reading the instructions.

DH and I once had a race to build Ikea bedside tables. He produced a table while I was still constructing, and after a little while I remarked that some of the pieces were upside down. I'd finished long before he had taken it apart again and rebuilt it according to the actual instructions.

I wonder if the nc "QueenOfFlatpack" is taken?

FishWithABicycle · 20/02/2016 19:33

It's not a man it's another woman wearing trousers.

pigsDOfly · 20/02/2016 19:33

Well, speaking as a woman who is also a perfectionist and is currently building a 4 door/6 drawer wardrobe by herself, I think I would probably take exception to IKEA's pictures, so yes they probably are sexist.

The manual I'm using is not from IKEA and shows only the parts and fittings of the wardrobe and how to assemble them.

I shall be sure to avoid IKEA's flat pack furniture in the future as I think that would piss me off rather.

ChickyChickyParmParm · 20/02/2016 19:33

If they reflected our house they would show a woman throwing a spanner down in frustration while a man shouts "it might as well be in Russian!" at the instructions.

Believeitornot · 20/02/2016 19:35

I've never seen men or women in the instructions Confused

SoupDragon · 20/02/2016 19:36

I build IKEA flat pack stuff by myself and I couldn't give a shit what sex the people on the sonstructions appear to be. Do people really get worked up over this kind of thing?

SoupDragon · 20/02/2016 19:36

Instructions. I have no idea what a sonstruction is.

PaulAnkaTheDog · 20/02/2016 19:36

Ffs...

chelle792 · 20/02/2016 19:39

Ah, I wouldn't mind. It's not worth raising my blood pressure over. We're a pretty stereotypical household anyway tbh - although dh is currently cooking while I'm in the bath is that stereotypical? Grin

TwatMagnet · 20/02/2016 19:39

What SoupDragon said. This is not something that would get brain space in my world.

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 20/02/2016 19:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ScoutsMam · 20/02/2016 19:43

I've never seen men or women in the instructions

Maybe OP has got IKEA instructions confused with the Joy Of Sex?

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 20/02/2016 19:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Seeyounearertime · 20/02/2016 19:47

i'm going to have to ask for Pics OP?
i've been doing a lot of flatpacking with my GF watching and maybe playing with her tablet a little
I haven't seen any identifiable people in the instructions apart from the blob person who rings Ikea for help.

TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 20/02/2016 19:47

not at all scoutsmam...the op hasn't said a word about seventies beards, fulsome bosoms and/or pubic hair and improbable leg angles.

JeanneDeMontbaston · 20/02/2016 19:49

soup, I have a feeling she might have been, er, being slightly lighthearted. Wink Like what people do. Though I do like fish's interpretation.

Gabilan · 20/02/2016 19:49

It would bug me as yet another micro aggression if all their instructions were like it. unfortunately I know some women who think they can't make things by virtue of the fact they're female. I just explain that I can construct double bed frames on my own and don't want to be pigeon holed.

tomatodizzy · 20/02/2016 19:49

I've never seen men or women in IKEA instructions, just giant jelly babies.

To be an accurate portrayal of our rolls when it comes to IKEA furniture it would have a man stomping around and swearing and a woman constructing the furniture for a second time but this time reading the instructions because the idiot man forgot to do that first time round

ScoutsMam · 20/02/2016 19:49

Now, improbable leg angles is flat pack furniture all over!

Original poster
booksrock · 20/02/2016 19:49

I'm telling you its a man and woman as it shows them standing up with her holding the sides and him banging in nails, I will see if I can show a picture

OP posts:
Theydontknowweknowtheyknow · 20/02/2016 19:50

Yes we need pictures OP!

FWIW that is the best thing about being single. Yout get to put Ikea flat packs together all by yourself, with no one to take over or "help" you except a nice bottle of wine.

Seeyounearertime · 20/02/2016 19:51

what is the name of the wardrobe? is it one of the silly named things like Wverty or something equally made up?

Elledouble · 20/02/2016 19:53

Pax wardrobes by any chance?! I noticed this when I was putting ours together while my (male!) partner looked after the baby and did the washing Grin

If I recall correctly I think the woman was allowed to attach the wardrobes together on her own? Wink